Even though things are pretty busy these days, I've been feeling the urge to start this blog back up. I hope to use it as an outlet to share things I like: recipes, science, pictures, ideas, and travelogues. It will probably mostly be about food :) Hope you enjoy!
So, today I'll start with a recipe that we made recently. Lately, cooking has been a way for me to unwind at the end of the day. I used to pretty much to stick to recipes, but lately I've been pushed to experiment and "create" or adapt dishes from what I know.
In the fall time, I just adore pumpkins and squashes. I can't help buying all different shapes and colors of pumpkins, squashes, and gourds. To me, there is nothing cuter than a heaping basket of squashes and gourds piled together. Utilizing that pile for dinner is also fantastic!
I give you: Spicy Turkey Sausage in Tomato Sauce and Spaghetti Squash! This is a pretty quick and easy, delicious meal and it is low carb!
Spicy Turkey Sausage in Tomato Sauce and Spaghetti Squash
(Serves 4 good eaters)
2 spaghetti squash
1 lb spicy Italian turkey sausage (casings removed)
1 sweet onion
2-3 chopped garlic cloves
1 can tomatoes
2 can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
honey
fresh basil leaves
salt & pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut spaghetti squash in half, brush with olive oil, salt and pepper generously, place cut size down in 9x13 glass dish. Bake for about an 1 hour, until nutty, slightly browned and tender.
In the mean time start the sauce. I always used to use a jar of sauce, but I recently discovered just how easy and delicious it is to make homemade sauce. So, for the meat sauce: remove casings from spicy Italain turkey sausage. Brown and break apart in big/ deep frying pan. Add chopped onion and 2-3 large finely chopped garlic cloves. Once meat, onions and garlic are nicely browned, add can of tomatoes (don't drain), 2 cans of tomato sauce (one will do in a pinch, you'll just have less sauce) and tomato paste. Next, I usually add a shake of garlic powder, onion powder, and S & P. I like a slightly sweet, spicy sauce with the nutty squash, so I also add about a tablespoon of honey. Add 4-6 whole basil leaves and simmer sauce on low until squash is cooked.
Remove squash from oven, let cool slightly, scrape squash with fork into bowl. Salt lightly, spoon meat sauce over, top with Parmesan cheese, serve and ENJOY!
After a few days of long travel, I arrived safe and sound Saturday afternoon in the Falkland Islands. The ship’s departure was delayed a day, so we had all of Sunday to roam around. We decided to walk along the coast line in search of a Gentoo penguin colony. Along the way, we came across Bertha’s Beach, which is a beautiful, white sandy, almost tropical-looking beach. Then, after gathering a few limpet shells and other treasures, we carried on admiring geese, sheep, and awesomely scrubby plants.
Eventually we stumbled across the colony of hundreds of Gentoo’s! As soon as we entered the colony, I knew it was one of the Gentoo colonies I visited last time I was in the Falklands (but by land rover). They are still just as cuteand just as smelly!! 
We left Mare Harbour Monday morning for about 3 day journey to Bird Island. Once we are there we have two days of relief work and unloading supplies before we can start our sampling. The ship is packed to the brim with supplies and people because the JCR is first call back to some of the islands since last winter. Currently, we’re out in the middle of the South Atlantic and we’ve seen albatrosses, petrels, charismatic mega-fauna (i.e. dolphins & whales) and some big waves!
Unfortunately, I don't have much time to explore the Falklands this trip, but here's a post from the last time. The ship departs from Mare Harbour Sunday, October 23rd. Last time we left from Stanley, so I'm looking forward to a new departure spot. 
I'll be teaming up with the British Antarctic Survey for another benthic sampling trip. This time we're headed to South Georgia in the sub-Antarctic chain of islands. Stay tuned for posts about our trip! Lots of science, cool animals, and fun excursions to come...
In the fall time, I just adore pumpkins and squashes. I can't help buying all different shapes and colors of pumpkins, squashes, and gourds. To me, there is nothing cuter than a heaping basket of squashes and gourds piled together. Utilizing that pile for dinner is also fantastic!
